Iran condemns US attack on Darkhoveyn nuclear power plant construction site
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has condemned a “terrorist” US attack on the construction site of the Darkhoveyn nuclear power plant, saying the strike violated international law and targeted a peaceful nuclear facility under international safeguards.
According to a statement released by the AEOI, the attack occurred at around 3:39 a.m. local time on Sunday, when the United States launched “a number of projectiles” at the site under construction.
The organization described the attack as “an aggressive and barbaric act in violation of international law,” saying it was intended to obstruct Iran’s scientific progress and independence.
“The Darkhoveyn construction site, one of the symbols of the Iranian nation’s scientific dignity and self-sufficiency, was targeted in an unjustifiable terrorist attack,” the statement said.
The AEOI stressed that the facility is “fully subject to the supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the Agency,” adding that its activities are “peaceful and lawful.”
It argued that by attacking a safeguarded nuclear site, the United States had violated international law.
The organization also cited IAEA General Conference Resolutions 444 and 533, saying they explicitly declare threats or attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities to be contrary to international law, the UN Charter and the IAEA Statute.
Calling on the IAEA to respond, the statement said Iran expects the agency’s director general “to move beyond silence and inaction, condemn this crime, which further undermines the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the nuclear safeguards system and the IAEA Statute, and fulfill his statutory responsibilities.”
The AEOI also urged “peace-loving, freedom-seeking and truth-seeking countries” to condemn the “aggressive act” and reject a course of action that poses an increasing threat to international peace and security.
The statement concluded that such actions “will not create the slightest disruption in the Iranian nation’s iron will,” but will instead strengthen the determination of the country’s nuclear specialists to continue pursuing “progress, advancement and self-sufficiency.”
The United States has resumed its criminal aggression against Iran since last week by targeting civilian sites across southern Iranian provinces.
On Thursday night, the terrorist US forces destroyed six bridges in Hormozgan Province. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to target Iran’s power plants and bridges.
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